Tony Gonzalez: Temptation will be there if a contender calls during season

Posted by Josh Alper on August 20, 2014, 7:23 AM EDT

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Tony Gonzalez has taken a job with CBS for the coming season and he’s making the transition from being on the field to being in the studio.

He’s making big predictions for 2014, including a possible undefeated season for the Broncos and a victory for Denver in a Super Bowl rematch, but none of them include a return to playing at the moment. Gonzalez said that he’s already heard from teams interested in a comeback and said no while acknowledging that it would be more difficult to turn down overtures from a contender during the season.

“The temptation would be there, but I don’t know what the gain would be,” Gonzalez said, via Newsday. “I’ve always wanted a ring. That’s been my main goal as a player over the last 15 years of my career. You’re really trying to get that ultimate goal. But I’d be a mercenary to come in and get a Super Bowl ring, play with a team for, what, six, seven weeks? And even if I got the ring, it wouldn’t be the same as going through the fight with the team from the beginning to the end. I don’t think that will happen. The temptation will be there, but I’m 100 percent happy with my decision.”

Gonzalez says he wouldn’t want to go back on his “good luck” to retire on his own terms, although nothing he said will stop teams from making a call to see if Gonzalez feels differently in a couple of months. It seems like a long shot that there will be any change, but the opportunity to increase your chances of winning a Super Bowl can lead teams to try such shots.

Keep yourself in game shape Tony. Don’t think anyone including Falcons fans would have a problem with Gonzalez going “mercenary” for a last shot at a ring. I can think of several contenders who could use additional help at tight end including the Eagles, Steelers, Seahawks, and Packers.

I’m not a fan of theirs, but if you wanted a ring Tony, why not just have stayed where you were? I won’t think a lot of your move if you join up with the Seahawks or the 49ers or the Patriots at a point in the season where they have a solid winning record.

“It wouldn’t be the same as going through the fight with the team from the beginning to the end…Well except for last year when I made the deal to blow off the Falcons training camp, but that’s different.”